The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-08-14
POISON IN SWEATBANDS.
A Chemist Explains the Cause Of Many
Mysterious Headaches.


That injurious coloring matters have
occasionally been used in the manufact-
ure of the sweatbands of hats, is 4
matter of record. Recently, however,
my attention has been called TO prac-
tice of interest to the public and de-
serving of investigation by medical
authorities and boards of health, viz:
the use of lead compounds in the sweat
bands of hats.
Several weeks ago l purchased hat
at a large wholesale house in this city.
Within few days thereafter was SUBJ
ject to severe and peculiar headaches
whenever l wore this hat, and more
especially on very warm days. Although
l paid no particular attention to this
at first. suspected that the symptoms
were brought about by the wear
ing of the hat, and finally became
convinced of the fact. About
this time the hat was accidentally
exposed to an atmosphere containing
sulphuretted hydrogen. On taking up
the hat discoloration of the sweatband
was ODSclfcti, WtiiCuy VI
was found to be due to the formation
of sulphide of lead. The discoloratIon
was darker in places where the peIspira-
ton had accumulated and dried. A care
full analysis of the sweatband showed it
Ito contain no less than .0556 grammes
(. 1856 grains) of lead per square inch,
or 2.446 grammes (37.548 grains) for
the entire sweatband. The compound
used in this case was apparently white
lead e PbCO3. Pb (OH)2), of which
the above quantity of lead indicates
1.O6S grains per square inch, or 1892
| grains for the entire band.
White lead and lithargc are frequently
| used in connection with boiled oil to
give leather high and glossy finish.
While the use of lead in the sweatbands
of hats is nothing very recent, 1t is a
matter not generally known, and still
less would its injurious character be
| suspected. Some sweatbands contain
| more of the lead compound than others
While in some hats the lead may be
sufficiently protected by an extra finish
SO as to render it under the circum
stances physiologically inert, am con
WINGED that it is not always the case.
The principal i'll effects resulting
from the wearing of such hat would
be noticed during the first few weeks
that the hat is worn, and before the
sweatband is more or less protected by
the accumulation of grease from The
hair and perspiration. 1t is probably
owing to this fact that such sweatband'
are worn with apparent impunity il
most cases, and that any i'll effects il
the beginning are possibly assigned tt
other causes, and their true sourc
never suspected. The evil effects ar,
therefore more readily observed OF
wearing new hats.
| Ths publication of this need no
cause any undue feeling of alarm, TO
hats with leaden sweatbands have beef
worn for years, and are daily worl
without any complaints being made
1t must be borne in mind, however
that any i'll effects from the abov
source would seldom be traced to thei
true cause when the latter is not unde
suspicion, and is, therefore, readil
overlooked.
confidently believe that close a
servation will show that the injuriou
effects of leaden sweatbands (usuall
of high luster and patent leather az
pearance) are more far-reaching tina
is generally supposed. The use of lea
compounds for the above purpose is a
best unsanitary, and should be prohit
tied. Grocer.